EPHRATA — Ephrata volleyball lost most of its varsity core to graduation last year and begins this fall under a new head coach running her first program.

Lady Tigers coach McKaidan Boyd thinks the timing is right on both counts.

"Although it is a young group of girls, they are not to be underestimated," Boyd said. "The one thing that's stood out the most is their level of athletic ability. These girls are sponges and ready to (improve) every day."

Boyd takes over a program that coaching predecessor Britney MacLeod led for 16 seasons. The roster will list lone senior Payton Canfield, two juniors in Navi Kaur and Clairissa Johnson, and nine sophomores. Just four players have varsity experience; three of them are sophomores — Sidney Chornuk, Addison Vasquez and Skylar Wood.

The rebuild started on day one. Boyd said she breaks down technique piece by piece and teaches the details of the game rather than lean on what her players already know.

"We will work to become one united front and execute the game well," she said. "I'm one of the most competitive people I know, and I will push these girls to their absolute peak level as athletes."

This is Boyd's first coaching job, but not her first season on the court.

She started in the sport at age 10, played at Chiawana High School in Pasco, and was a member of nationally ranked club teams that competed in tournaments across the country all four years. Following graduation, she attended the University of West Alabama on a full-ride volleyball scholarship.

"I believe this was divine timing," she said of stepping into the Ephrata job. "The transition has been better than expected."

Boyd, a stay-at-home mom of two, and her EHS graduate husband Ethan, traveled for two years before settling in Grant County. And her family's Ephrata roots run deep – Boyd's mother and sister both played volleyball for the Lady Tigers.

Assisting in the coaching duties is Moses Lake High School alumna Sierra Hinds, whom Boyd said will be a significant asset.

The Lady Tigers are coming off a difficult 2025 campaign, finishing 2-13 overall and 2-6 in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. Seven seniors graduated from that squad, leaving Boyd a clean slate in her inaugural season.

A non-league home contest against visiting Omak kicks off action 7 p.m. tonight (Sept. 1), on Marty O’Brien Court. The Class 2A Lady Tigers then travel to West Valley (Spokane) on Sept. 3 and to 4A Moses Lake on Sept. 8.

The latter matchup with the neighboring Lady Mavs is one Boyd is particularly looking forward to, since many of her players share club teams with Moses Lake girls.

"The rivalry is intense," she said. "I'm excited to come out with the win and have the girls accomplish what I know they can."

Ephrata opens CWAC play at home on Sept. 10 against Othello.

Boyd invites Tiger fans to come see what the program is building.

"We want a loud and involved community," she said. "You can expect great competitive play and a winning season."

Correction: An earlier version of this story reported Ephrata's 2025 conference record as 0-9. The Tigers finished 2-6 in CWAC play.